de Villars Jones LLP
It’s a real coup when sage counsel is also passionate about helping
resolve your legal issues with expertise, dignity and grace.
de Villars Jones was formed in 1988, when Anne de Villars and David Jones decided they wanted more flexibility in their work, and the freedom to practise law on their own terms. They believed then—as they do now—in the value of excellence, attention to detail, client service … and the fortifying power of a cup of tea. Although the firm has grown over the years, these values continue to define us.
You might find our approach a little different than others: we look for solutions before we look for battles (although we most definitely do know how to litigate!); we seek to understand before we offer advice; and we pay attention to what’s important to you in your particular legal situation.
Sage counsel™ cuts off many foes.
after William Shakespeare, HENRY VI, PART I: ACT III, SCENE I
Estate Administration
Estate Planning
Estate Planning involves preparing wills, trusts, enduring powers of attorney, and personal directives. We appreciate that many circumstances are unique, and some are sensitive.
Estate Litigation
Estate Mediation
Real Estate
Arbitration
Arbitration is another alternative to resolving disputes in a courtroom. Arbitration is a more formal process than mediation where those involved present their case to a neutral third party – the arbitrator – who makes the final and binding decision. It is usually faster, private and less expensive than litigation.
Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship
When an adult is unable to make decisions about their own personal or financial affairs, another person must assume these responsibilities. If documents that set out the adult’s personal and financial instructions (such as a personal directive or enduring power of attorney) have not yet been prepared, an application to the court is required in order to appoint someone as decision-maker on the adult’s behalf.
Administrative Law
de Villars Jones wrote the book on administrative law… quite literally! David Jones and Anne de Villars first published Principles of Administrative Law in 1985, which has been regularly updated and is now in its 7th edition.
Corporate Law
Mediation
A solution you choose is always preferable to one that is imposed on you. This is the belief that underlies our strong focus on mediation, where the people involved have mutual control of their situation and find their own solutions.
Point of Law Litigation
Recent Papers and Presentations
Digital Grants must be accepted by all institutions
When the Surrogate Digital Service came online, the digital grants it produced were not accepted by all institutions. In the below transcript, Victoria A. Jones was successful in getting an order that the Bank of Montreal must accept the digital grant of probate and...
Administrative Law Update 2024: CBA Presentation
David's powerpoint from his presentation to the CBA Alberta Administrative Law North Section. It covers cases since Vavilov. CBA Admin Law Section June 2024
Vavilov: What It Does and What It Does Not Do
Vavilov is the sixth attempt in 50 years by the Supreme Court of Canada to grapple with standards of review. The reasons in Vavilov are quite extensive, and provide a great deal of food for thought. The majority changes some of the previous approach to standards of...
Administrative Law Year in Review 2020
In December 2019, the Supreme Court of Canada rendered its much-anticipated decisions in the “trilogy” dealing with the scope of judicial review and the standard of review. These cases reformulated how standards of review are to be determined in both applications for...
Textbook, 7th Edition
Principles of Administrative Law
By David Phillip Jones, KC and Anne S. de Villars, KC
Principles of Administrative Law is the first text of its kind in Canada; an organized dissertation firmly anchored in the context of public law in a conceptual manner.